Owen won't panic over injury

Michael Owen has expressed concern that he may have suffered an injury setback.

Michael Owen insists he did not rush his comeback from a broken metatarsal, but has expressed concern that he may have suffered a setback.

The Newcastle United striker fractured a bone in his foot on New Year's Eve and made his return to action on Saturday as a substitute against Birmingham City.

At the end of the game, Owen complained of an ache in his foot and he is due to have his condition assessed in the coming days.

A fresh setback would put Owen's World Cup place in jeopardy and the England ace is unsure what the new problem is with his foot.

"My foot does not feel right," Owen told the News of the World.

"I felt something go after 10 minutes, but it's not the kind of pain I experienced when I needed a second operation.

"I will have to go and see the surgeon. Until then I don't know how serious it is. It doesn't feel perfect.

"Is it pain? I don't know how to explain it. There is a numbness there.

"It wasn't a crack or the pain I felt when I first did it on New Year's Eve.

"But it is obviously not ideal. As far as the World Cup is concerned it is much too early to say."

With Wayne Rooney already facing a battle to be fit for the start of the World Cup, a recurrence of Owen's foot injury would be untimely for England coach Sven Goran Eriksson.

Owen was reluctant to comment on Rooney's injury, but refuted any suggestions that his own return was premature.

He added: "I've heard about Wayne Rooney, but it wouldn't be fair to comment on it until I know more about it. Besides, I've got enough to worry about myself.

"I can't say I rushed back too soon. I've been in full training with the first team all week and was fully prepared to play a full part today.

"I haven't felt a single twinge throughout the week in training. I can only repeat, I am not going to panic."